Gov. Wolf, GOP critic spar over social media post parroting health secretary's LGBQT comments

A public back-and-forth between Gov. Tom Wolf and one of his vocal House critics played out Thursday over the Lebanon County lawmaker’s parody of the health department secretary.

The feud ended in calls from both parties for censures, resignations and dismissals.

The incident started Wednesday with a social media post by Republican Rep. Russ Diamond that appeared to be a play off statements made a day earlier by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.

Levine, a transgender woman, publicly addressed transphobic and anti-LGBTQ remarks on Tuesday. Critics of the Wolf administration’s handling of the covid-19 pandemic — mandatory mask policies, strict business guidelines — often have taken aim at Levine, and some attacks have focused on her gender identity.

“I want to emphasize that while these individuals think they are only expressing their displeasure with me, they are in fact hurting the thousands of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians who suffer directly from these current demonstrations of harassment,” she said.

A statement released by Diamond the next day, headlined “State Representative Russ Diamond Addresses Hateful Comments Towards Unmasked Community,” mirrored the language Levine used.

“I want to emphasize that while these individuals may think they are only expressing their displeasure with me, they are in fact hurting the thousands of unmasked Pennsylvanians who suffer directly from these current demonstrations of harassment,” Diamond wrote. He has been critical of face-mask policies during the pandemic.

Wolf, who has been a fierce defender of Levine, shot back against Diamond on Thursday.

“To equate any disrespect for those not wearing masks to the decades of disrespect, threats and violence against our LGBTQ community goes far beyond the hallmarks of a decent society,” he said. “For these actions to come from a legislator elected to fairly represent all his constituents is simply unforgivable.”

There are no words that adequately describe my disdain for the antics Rep. Diamond displayed in his latest missive.

I am calling on Republican House leadership to introduce a resolution to censure the representative immediately.

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) July 30, 2020

The governor called for Republican leaders in the House to censure Diamond — who he called a “proud non-mask-wearer” — and to stop spreading misinformation regarding masks.

“This dangerous, reckless behavior is not welcome in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said.

Diamond responded with another statement, this time calling for Wolf to fire Levine and then resign.

“After failed policies which contributed to the deaths of over 4,800 Pennsylvanians in nursing homes, ignoring his own orders while protesting in the streets, and unlawfully withholding federal CARES funding from Lebanon County as political retribution, Wolf has lost all moral authority and credibility to guide this Commonwealth,” Diamond wrote.

He continued: “I call on the governor to immediately resign, right after he dismisses Dr. Rachel Levine as secretary of Health for her horrendous performance as the top health official in the state …”

Diamond to Wolf: RESIGN. Right after you fire Levine. You've lost all moral authority and credibility. But hey, at least you're finally acknowledging there's a legislative body in PA. @GovernorTomWolf @SecretaryLevine pic.twitter.com/RutVcofuSA

— Russ Diamond (@russdiamond) July 30, 2020

Jason Gottesman, a spokesperson for the House Republican Caucus, noted that all House members, both Democrat and Republican, can speak freely without the blessing of any one caucus.

“Discrimination in any form is wrong, and we continue to encourage all members to communicate professionally and courteously,” he said.